KRS 190.062: Action for damages -- Power of commission -- Applicability of chapter and

KRS Chapter 190A -- Written demand for mediation required before civil

action involving recreational vehicle franchise issues may be brought.

(1) Notwithstanding the terms, provisions, or conditions of any agreement or franchise,

or the terms or provisions of any waiver, any person who is injured in his business

or property by a violation of this section or any person so injured because he refuses

to accede to a proposal for an arrangement which, if consummated, would be in

violation of this section, may bring a civil action in the Franklin Circuit Court to

enjoin further violations, to recover the actual damages sustained by him, together

with costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee.

(2) The commission may order, deny, suspend, or revoke the license of any new motor

vehicle dealer, new recreational vehicle dealer, manufacturer, distributor, factory

branch, or factory representative for failing to comply with any provisions of KRS

190.010 to 190.080 or KRS Chapter 190A, as such provisions apply, respectively,

to new motor vehicle dealers, new recreational vehicle dealers, manufacturers,

distributors, factory branches, or factory representatives; or in lieu thereof , or in

addition thereto, may assess monetary penalties of a civil nature not to exceed one

thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation.

(3) The provisions of KRS 190.010 to 190.080 and KRS Chapter 190A, as such

provisions apply, respectively, to new moto r vehicle dealers, new recreational

vehicle dealers, manufacturers, distributors, factor branches, or factory

representatives, shall apply to all persons required to be licensed under the terms

herein, and to dealerships and contracts between new motor veh icle dealers, new

recreational vehicle dealers, and manufacturers, distributors, factory branches, or

factory representatives at the time of its passage, and to all such future new motor

vehicle dealerships and contracts.

(4) (a) In addition to the provisi ons of this section, before a civil action involving

recreational vehicle franchise issues is brought, the party bringing suit for an

alleged violation of this chapter shall serve a written demand for mediation on

the offending party. The demand for mediat ion shall include a brief statement

of the dispute and the relief sought by the party making the demand. The party

making the demand shall serve the demand by certified mail to one (1) of the

following addresses:

1. In an action between a new recreational vehicle dealer and a

manufacturer, the address stated in the dealer agreement between the

parties;

2. In an action between a new recreational vehicle dealer and a warrantor

that is not a manufacturer, the address stated in any agreement between

the parties; or

3 In an action between two (2) new recreational vehicle dealers, the

address of the offending dealer in the records of the commission.

(b) Within twenty (20) days after a demand for mediation is served under this

subsection, the parties shall mutually select an independent mediator who is

approved by the commission and meet with that mediator for the purpose of

attempting to resolve the dispute at a location in this state selected by the

mediator. The mediator may extend the date of the meeting for goo d cause

shown by either party or if the parties agree to the extension.

(c) The service of a demand for mediation under this subsection tolls the time for

the filing of any complaint, petition, protest, or other action under this chapter

until representati ves of both parties have met with the mediator selected

pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection for the purpose of attempting to

resolve the dispute. If a complaint, petition, protest, or other action is filed

before that meeting, the court shall ente r an order suspending the proceeding

or action until the mediation meeting has occurred and may, if all the parties

to the proceeding or action stipulate in writing that they wish to continue to

mediate under this subsection, enter an order suspending the proceeding or

action for as long a period as the court considers appropriate.

(d) Each of the parties to the mediation under this subsection is responsible for its

own attorney fees. The parties shall equally divide the cost of the mediator.